Getting cut short on orientation

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So as you all can see by my posts, I'm a new nurse. I have been working since November 10th. I just finished my 5th week and my boss just told me this week that after next week she will be letting me go on my own. I'm told by me coworkers and all three of my preceptors that I'm ready and I will be fine, but I'm very very concerned and scared. I feel like I have so much to learn and im not sure why they are acting like its no big deal. Maybe I seem confident and like I know exactly what I'm doing but inside I'm lost half the time and I just really rhink I need more time. There is a girl that's new and she got her full 12 week orientation so I'm just wondering why in the world I cant get a little more time. What do you guys think? How long was your oeiwntation and were you ever really ready to be on your own?

Specializes in Oncology.

Nobody ever feels 100% ready to be off of orientation as a new grad. Your preceptors would not just say that they think you are ready to be nice- they want you to be a safe nurse! When you do end up on your own, identify a nurse or two on each shift that you can use as a resource to ask questions. Good luck!

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I just don't want to have to ask a million questions and have someone showing me how to do things all the time. There are still a lot of things I haven't done yet. I guess I'll just wait and see how I feel about it at the end of next week. Thanks again!

I guarantee that whether you get off of orientation in a week, 6 weeks or 6 months there will STILL be many things that you have questions about or haven't done yet. As a new nurse you are not expected to know EVERYTHING when you are off orientation. You are however expected to be a safe, entry level nurse and know who you can go to with questions or where to find answers (P&P manual, Internet, manager/charge nurse, etc.). As you are in practice on your own longer you will start feeling more comfortable, you will develop your own time saving strategies, etc.

Congratulations on your new job and good luck to you in the many years of your career ahead of you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Hey there - 'graduating' from orientation ahead of schedule is a VERY GOOD THING!!! This means that your performance is superior to that of the average new hire.

You're on your way to becoming a really great nurse & role model. In no time at all, you'll be the one who is reassuring new grads.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Maybe you can ask for a lighter pt load. When I oriented, I started with 3 of my own and then worked up to 5. even if it is for one week so you can get the feel of the entire process w/o feeling overwhelmed-even though after three years, I still get overwhelmed! We all do. It's ok to ask for help.

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Thanks for the reassurance everybody. And there's no way I could get less patients. The floor I'm on is crazy busy. I'm just gonna do the best I can and hope I can get some help when I need it. Everyone is willing it's just if they have time.

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And every nurse always has 6 with at least one admission. That's what slows me down, new admits take me forever.

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Specializes in Emergency Department; Neonatal ICU.

If it makes you feel any better, when I started in the ED, I was not a new grad but was transitioning from neonatal ICU so it was all very new to me. I showed up one morning and my charge said, "You've had enough orientation, here's your assignment." :unsure: I did fine and so will you, especially if you have supportive co-workers as I did.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

ps: i forgot to tell you, i am proud of you

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You answered your own question.

Think it over.. then tell your manager you want the full orientation.

This actually a great lesson to apply in your career. Never cave into pressure. You will be experiencing pressure everyday. Do what YOU feel is right.

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Have you been checking skills off of your orientation list?? If you still need help with charting and taking off orders then make that clear with the manger. There should be people there to help you and I would want to make that clear with the charge nurse when you are working a shift. Just say up front, "I would like you to check my charting and how I am taking off my orders." It could be your preceptors feel you know enough to do OK on your own. That does not mean you will be perfect, it just means you are ready to get your feet wet by yourself. See if you can come in for a session with the nurse educator to review taking off orders, it will make you feel more comfortable and let her know where you are with being independent. You co-workers are there to help you, but I understand your hesitancy to get off orientation. Speak up!!!

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Thanks so much sallyrnrrt! I did tell my preceptor that I didn't understand certain things and she said she would be happy to sit down with me and explain whatever I needed help understanding, but we got busy and didn't get around to it (2 shifts in a row). I had planned on asking for at least another week or two, but then I went in last night and was greeted with "Sooooo....you're gonna be coming off orientation a liiiiittle early. Here's your assignment". 'Of course the charge nurse asked if I was ok with that and explained people had called in, 1 tech, they needed me to take these patients. So I said sure and took my 5 with no admissions (at least they gave me the smallest group). I did ok, but I think it's just because I had the easiest patients. They rarely called, barely had any meds, and were super nice. The only thing I had going on was a heparin drip that I didn't even have to change. I'm trying to give myself credit, but at the same time I know if I had been given the patients j had the night before I would have been so behind. Anyways, thanks for all your thoughts on this. Guess I'm on my own whether I like it or not now. I don't see them putting me back on orientation after that

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

bless your heart,

;)

you have knowledge, you know what you know and dont know....:yes:

you obviously care a great deal to do "the rightest things"

ask others when you dont know, dont take it personaly if some sound a little "curt" ((they are just frustrated, themselves.

you sound like the kind of nurse i would want for my family......."you are a big girl nurse now "

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